Affordable, fun family vacation ideas
Whereas vacations used to be a part of every family’s life, more and more families are now staying put for vacations, if they’re even taking them at all. According to National Geographic, only 14 percent of Americans will take a vacation of two weeks or more this year. Perhaps more startling, many people aren’t just taking shorter vacations or staying home during their time off, but they’re leaving vacation days on the table. In 2007, Americans failed to take 483 million vacation days.
The reasons for so many people taking shorter vacations or none at all are varied. For some, it simply comes down to cost. With oil prices rising on a seemingly daily basis, it’s become harder for many people to pay their monthly bills, making it harder to save for vacations as a result. Another possible reason is the economy, which is approaching, if not already in, a recession.
During such times, companies are laying off workers, many of whom can’t travel if they’ve just been laid off. For those who haven’t lost their jobs, the loss of co-workers has given them more responsibility, making it harder to get away from work, and less job security, as fears they might be next could be impacting whether or not they’re willing to spend money on a vacation.
Such uncertainty has forced many families to look for less expensive getaways that won’t break the bank or force too many days out of the office. For families looking to do just that, consider the following ideas.
• Visit the great outdoors. Most kids love to be outside, and in many places nature is free. Choose a locale such as a lake or local park that offers a wide variety of things to do such as boating, hiking, fishing, etc. If the outdoor area doesn’t provide camping facilities, you might have to rent a cabin. However, such sites often provide a kitchen or grilling area to guests, allowing them to cook their own food, a perk that will cost far less than nightly visits to local restaurants.
• Visit a big city. While those who live far away from a major metropolis might want to avoid this option, for those who live relatively close to a city such as New York, Chicago, Boston, etc., a day trip to the city can be relatively inexpensive. That’s because bigger cities typically boast museums, large shopping malls and other tourist attractions that are inexpensive if not free. For those who live too far away from such cities, hotel costs alone might not make such a trip worthwhile. However, those who live close enough to travel for a day or even spend a night or two in the city should take advantage of the abundance of things to do in most large cities.
• Visit relatives. Another way to cut costs on family vacations is to spend a night or two or a weekend visiting relatives. It could be just a stop-in visit on your way to a different destination, or a chance to catch up with family you might not have seen in a while. If possible, stay overnight with a relative to cut hotel expenses. Such visits are best if done in warmer weather, when everyone can head outdoors for a family barbecue so everyone isn’t cooped up indoors. If visiting a brother or sister who also has children, kids can enjoy playing with their cousins while adults relax and catch up with their siblings.